Interconnection system for floating modules

ABSTRACT

A floating module and fastening system for interconnecting a row of modules while allowing relative movement of the modules resulting from wave action. The present invention provides a system for interconnecting floating structures to form breakwaters and other integrated floating structures. The interconnection system includes one or more cables or other securing lines extending longitudinally through a row of floating structures and fastened at the ends of the row. Two or more socket members, through which the cables pass, are secured in and project outwardly from each end wall of the floating structures. Each of the socket members defines a recess, which extends into the end walls of the floating structures. Opposed socket members projecting from adjacent floating structures are sized so that an end of a first of the socket members fits within an opposed end of a second of the socket members. A resilient member or cushion having a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the recesses in the opposed socket members may be received within adjacent recesses of overlapping first and second socket members.

FIELD

The present invention relates to floating structures for docks and breakwaters, and more particularly, to floating modules and a system for interconnecting floating modules to form docks and breakwaters.

BACKGROUND

Floating structures such as docks, decks, wharfs, breakwaters, walkways, boat slips and other structures are known in the art. These floating structures are typically interconnected using tie rods and side wales extending along the sides of the floating structures and fastened together. Other structures use hinges to connect the ends of adjacent floating structures. Still other structures use cables and rods which pass through the floating structures lengthwise and use rubber pads or resilient members between the structures for a cushion.

Some of these floating structures, while acceptable for relatively small interconnected structures, are not suitable for applications encountering rougher waters. Many of these systems do not allow sufficient pivoting motion between interconnected floats when fairly large waves are encountered. As a result, the interconnection system often fails. Other of these systems are not sufficiently strong to endure the pivotal motion over an extended period, or when encountering large storms. The resilient members of some of these structures are exposed to high shear forces. Additionally, the resilient members degrade over time due to exposure to sunlight.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a system for interconnecting floating structures to form breakwaters and other integrated floating structures. The interconnection system includes one or more cables or other securing lines extending longitudinally through a row of floating structures and fastened at the ends of the row. Two or more socket members, through which the cables pass, are secured in and project outwardly from each end wall of the floating structures. Each of the socket members defines a recess, which extends into the end walls of the floating structures. Opposed socket members projecting from adjacent floating structures are sized so that an end of a first of the socket members fits within an opposed end of a second of the socket members. A resilient member or cushion having a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the recesses in the opposed socket members may be received within adjacent recesses of overlapping first and second socket members.

The resilient members include a longitudinally extending bore through which the cables pass. The socket members extending from adjacent end walls interfit or overlap to encase the resilient members and provide protection from exposure to sunlight. The overlapping socket members further protect the resilient members from excessive twisting, bending and shear forces at the connection.

Fingers or slips may be formed by securing one or more modules perpendicularly to a main structure of modules with cables extending longitudinally through the slip structures and laterally through the main structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective end view of a floating module.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the interconnection between two floating modules.

FIG. 3 is an end view of a floating module.

FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional and exploded view of the interconnection between two floating modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the figures, an interconnecting system for flexibly securing together one or more floating structures or modules 10 is disclosed. The modules 10 may conventionally include a rigid shell 12 formed from concrete or other moldable cementitious materials including polymer plastics surrounding and encasing a buoyant core 14 such as a foam core for example. The modules 10 include a top 16, sides 18 and 20, and end walls 22 and 24. The end walls 22 and 24 each include two or more male and female interconnecting assemblies or socket members 26 and 28 respectively, and a utility recess 29. As shown in FIG. 4, the interconnecting assemblies 26 and 28 are used to connect the modules 10 in an end to end alignment. However, it is to be understood that the interconnecting assemblies could be used to connect one module 10 perpendicularly to another module to form boat slips or fingers.

The buoyant core 14 may include grooves running laterally across the top surface 17 and vertically along the side surfaces 19 to provide additional structural strength to the module 10 when encased in concrete or other material. Two sets of two longitudinal grooves 56, are formed in the top surface 17 of the foam core 14 running parallel to and proximate to the sides 19 of the foam core 14. A cable receiving conduit 64 is positioned within the trough of each longitudinal groove 56. The conduits 64 are sized shorter than the foam core, such that the ends of each conduit 64 are recessed in the foam core 14. Side walers 21 with conduits 23 extending through the side walers 21 also allow two or more modules 10 to be connected in a perpendicular configuration, as discussed in more detail hereafter, to form fingers or boat slips, for example.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the male interconnecting assembly 26 includes a cylindrical side wall 30, a base plate 32 with an aperture 34 formed centrally therein, and a base tube or sleeve 36 axially aligned with the aperture 34. The assembly 26 may be embedded in the end wall 22 with the base tube 36 extending inward and an opposite end presenting an outwardly opening recess or socket 38. The depth that the recess 38 extends into the surface of end wall 22 may be approximately one to four inches, and preferably one and one-half inches. The side wall 30 of assembly 26 extends outwardly from the end wall 22 to present a collar 40. The length of the collar 40 extending from the end wall 22 may be approximately three-quarters to one and one-half inches, and preferably one and one-quarter inches. The side wall 30 has a length of approximately five to twelve inches, and preferably six inches. The side wall 30 has a diameter of approximately six to ten inches, and preferably eight and five-eighths inches.

The base tube 36 may be welded or otherwise secured or attached to the base plate 32, which may be welded or otherwise secured to the side wall 30. The base tube 36 may be approximately four to twelve inches long, and preferably six inches long with a diameter of approximately one to two inches, and preferably one and one-half inches. The aperture 34 may be sized to match the base tube 32.

The female interconnecting assembly 28 may be similar in construction to the male interconnecting member but slightly larger. The female interconnecting member includes a cylindrical side wall 42, a base plate 44 with an aperture 46 formed centrally therein, and a base tube or sleeve 48 axially aligned with the aperture 46. The assembly 28 may be embedded in the end wall 24 with the base tube 48 extending inward and an opposite end presenting an outwardly opening recess or socket 50. The depth of the recess 50 may be approximately one to four inches, and preferably one and one-half inches. The side wall 42 of assembly 28 extends outward past the end wall 24 to present a collar 52. The length of the collar 52 extending past the end wall 24 is approximately one-quarter to one and one-half inches, and preferably three-quarters of an inch. The side wall 42 has a length of approximately five to twelve inches, and preferably six inches. The side wall 42 has a diameter of approximately six to twelve inches, and preferably ten inches.

The base tube 48 may be welded or otherwise secured or attached to the base plate 44, which may be welded or otherwise fastened to the side wall 42. The base tube 48 may be approximately four to twelve inches long, and preferably six inches long with a diameter of approximately one to two inches, and preferably one and one-half inches. The aperture 46 may be sized to match the base tube 48.

Each module 10 may be formed in a mold not shown. One of the cable receiving conduits 64 may be inserted in each of the four longitudinal grooves 56 in the foam core 14. In a preferred embodiment, two male interconnecting members 26 may be positioned on one end toward one of the corners of the foam core 14 with a distal end of an associated base tube 36 abutting against or receiving an end of one of the cable receiving conduits 64. The base tube 36 may be preferably welded to the conduit 64 with the internal apertures aligned. Two additional male interconnecting members 26 are positioned on the other end toward the opposite diagonal corner of the foam core 14.

Two female interconnecting members 28 may be positioned at each end of the foam core 14 at opposite corners from the male interconnecting members 26. A distal end of the associated base tube 48 may be abutting against or receiving an opposite end of one of the cable receiving conduits 64. The base tubes 48 are preferably welded to the conduit 64 with the internal apertures aligned.

Before positioning the side wales 21 in position along the sides of the foam core 14, the side wales 21 are first connected together by extending a plurality of conduits 23 through aligned bores in the side wales 21 so that the conduits 23 extend transverse to the side wales 21 to form a side rail assembly 25. The side rail assembly 25 may then be set on top of the foam core 14 with the conduits 23 resting on an upper surface thereof and the side wales extending along the sides of the foam core 14. Concrete or other plastic material may then poured into the mold around the foam core 14, the cable receiving conduits 64, the side rail assembly 25, and the male and female interconnecting assemblies 26 and 28 and allowed to set. The utility recess 29 are formed in each module 29 by the mold.

In the modules 10 formed in this manner, end wall 22 has two male interconnecting assemblies 26 and two female interconnecting assemblies 28 projecting therefrom. The opposite end wall 24 has two female interconnecting assemblies 28 and two male interconnecting assemblies 26 projecting therefrom. The modules 10 could be formed in alternative configurations with fewer or more interconnecting assemblies 26 or 28 formed in and projecting from each end wall 22 and 24. It is to be understood that the type of interconnecting assembly 26 or 28 projecting from each end wall 22 and 24 can be varied. For example, with four interconnecting assemblies per end, four male interconnecting assemblies 26 may be projecting from one end wall and four female interconnecting assemblies 28 may be projecting from the other end wall. Other variations may be utilized. However, the interconnecting assemblies or socket members 26 and 28 directly opposite each other on each module 10 are of the opposite type, i.e. for each male socket member 26, the axially aligned socket member on the other end of the module 10 is a female socket member 26.

Two or more modules 10 may be connected together by cables 54 threaded through aligned sets of male and female interconnecting assemblies 26 and 28 and the conduits 64 embedded in the foam core 14. The resilient member 58 is also threaded onto each cable 54 between adjacent modules 10. The resilient member 58 is sized and shaped to be received in overlapping interconnecting assemblies 26 and 28 as described hereafter.

Each resilient member 58 is preferably cylindrically-shaped although other shapes may be utilized, with a length of two to twelve inches, preferably four to six inches, and a diameter of four to ten inches, preferably six to eight inches. Each resilient member 58 includes an axially-extending cylindrical bore 60 through which the cable 54 passes. A rigid tube 62 lines the bore 60 to prevent the cable from damaging the resilient member 58. The length of the tube 62 may be less than the length of the resilient member 58 to allow for compression of the resilient member 58 when the modules 10 are assembled and during use. The cables 54 also pass through conduits 64 which extend longitudinally through the modules 10.

When abutting modules 10 are aligned and male and female sockets 26 and 28 are opposed and axially aligned, the collars 40 of the male sockets 26 extend from end walls 22 and 24 and nest within the collars 52 of the female sockets 28 which extend from end walls 22 and 24 opposite collars 40. When the cables 54 are tightened to a predetermined tension the resilient members 58 are compressed between the base plates 32 and 44 of the overlapping male and female sockets 26 and 28. In addition, the collars 40 and 52 of opposed and overlapping sockets 26 and 28 preferably overlap at least one half inch or more. A lateral gap 66 formed between abutting modules 10 has a width of approximately one-half to two inches. The overlapping collars 40 and 52 shield the resilient members 58 from direct exposure to the environment.

The rigid tube 62 embedded in each resilient member 58, in combination with the nesting collars 26 and 28 limit the shear, bending and twisting forces, and stresses exerted on the resilient member 58. For normal loads, the resilient members 58 have sufficient shear strength to prevent excessive horizontal and vertical transverse movement of one module 10 with respect to an adjacent module 10. However, if the modules 10 encounter excessive forces, the interlocking sockets 26 and 28 limit the forces transferred to the resilient members 58. Additionally, the sockets 26 and 28 shield the resilient members 58 from sunlight to prevent degradation from exposure.

When two or more modules 10 are joined together to form a breakwater or other structure, the structure may be secured to one or more concrete blocks 70 or other suitable anchors, with a chain or cable 72. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a temporary post 74 may be attached to a bracket 76 which may be secured to either of the sides 18 or 20 of the module 10. The anchor chain 72 may be attached to a come-along 78 mounted to the post 74 and extended through an aperture 80 in the side 18 or 20 of module 10 to the anchor 70 to secure the modules 10 in position. Once the modules are positioned in a desired location, the chain 72 may be bolted or otherwise fastened to the bracket 76 and the come-along 78, post 74, and excess chain 72 may be removed.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto, except in so far as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable equivalents thereof. As used herein the phrase overlapping relationship of two members or other structure is intended to encompass either member or structure overlapping the other. In addition, the term wall or member is not limit to planar, solid structures, but rather is generally intended to encompass structure which separates one region or area from another and may include structures with openings therein such as meshes or grates or the like. 

1. A system for interconnecting a plurality of modules to form floating structures comprising: a pair of transversely spaced securing lines extending longitudinally through said modules with the ends thereof fastened to respective modules at the ends of the structure, a pair of resilient members received within respective abutting recesses formed in adjacent end walls of said modules having a shape which conforms to the shape of said resilient members, a rigid frame lining each of said recesses and extending from said end wall presenting a collar, said resilient members having a length greater than the combined depth of the recesses formed in adjacent end walls and less than the combined depth of the recesses formed in adjacent end walls and the combined height of the collars extending from said end walls, each of said resilient members having a longitudinally extending bore through which one of said securing lines passes, said collars extending from adjacent end walls adapted to nest one inside the other, said resilient members resiliently spacing said end walls apart from each other and restricting transverse movement of said modules with respect to each other while allowing said modules to pivot with respect to each other, said collars restricting excessive transverse and vertical movement of said modules with respect to each other whereby limiting forces transferred to said resilient members.
 2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bore in said resilient members is lined with a rigid tube to prevent said securing line from damaging said resilient member and to limit forces exerted on said resilient member.
 3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein a plurality of recesses are formed in each of said end walls of said modules and a rigid frame lining each of said plurality of recesses and extending from said end wall presenting a collar, and receiving a resilient member having a bore through which a securing line extends.
 4. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said securing lines extend through tubular conduits embedded in said modules, said conduits having a diameter larger than the diameter of said securing line thereby allowing free movement of said securing line through said modules.
 5. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said modules include longitudinally spaced tubular conduits transversely embedded in said modules for receiving securing lines extending transversely through one of said modules and longitudinally through one or more of said modules and resilient members thereby securing said modules in a generally perpendicular configuration.
 6. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said modules include one or more brackets attached to the sides of the modules for connecting an anchor line to secure the modules to an anchor.
 7. A module comprising: a shell encasing a buoyant foam core having a top, two sides, two end walls and a bottom, a pair of transversely spaced recesses in each of said end walls, a pair of conduits extending longitudinally through said modules and connecting opposite ones of said recesses, a male rigid frame lining one of said recesses in each of said end walls and extending from said end wall presenting a first collar, a female rigid frame lining the other of said recesses in each of said end walls and extending from said end wall presenting a second collar, wherein said first collar is received within a respective abutting second collar in an adjacent end wall of a second module.
 8. The module as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a pair of resilient members received abutting recesses formed in adjacent end walls of said modules having a shape which conforms to the shape of said recesses.
 9. The module as set forth in claim 8 wherein said resilient members has a length greater than the combined depth of the recesses formed in adjacent end walls and less than the combined depth of the recesses formed in adjacent end walls and the combined height of the first and second collars extending from said end walls.
 10. The module as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said resilient members has a longitudinally extending bore through which a securing lines passes.
 11. The module as set forth in claim 10 wherein said resilient members resiliently space said end walls of abutting modules apart from each other and restrict transverse movement of said modules with respect to each other while allowing said abutting modules to pivot with respect to each other.
 12. The module as set forth in claim 10 wherein said bore in said resilient members is lined with a rigid tube to prevent said securing line from damaging said resilient member and to limit forces exerted on said resilient member.
 13. The module as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first and second collars of abutting modules restrict excessive transverse and vertical movement of said abutting modules with respect to each other whereby limiting forces transferred to said resilient members.
 14. The module as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first and second collars of abutting modules limit exposure of said resilient members to direct sunlight.
 15. The module as set forth in claim 8 wherein said conduits have a diameter larger than the diameter of a securing line passing therethrough thereby allowing free movement of said securing line through said modules.
 16. The module as set forth in claim 8 further including longitudinally spaced tubular conduits transversely embedded in said module for receiving securing lines extending transversely through one of said modules and longitudinally through one or more other of said modules and resilient members thereby securing said modules in a generally perpendicular configuration.
 17. The module as set forth in claim 8 wherein said module includes one or more brackets attached to the sides of the module for connecting an anchor line to secure the module to an anchor.
 18. A floating structure formed from at least first and second adjacent modules; wherein each of said first and second modules comprises a shell encasing a bouyant core; a first end wall of said first module faces a second end wall of said second module; a first socket member having an outwardly opening first socket recess is positioned on said first end wall of said first module and a second socket member having an outwardly opening second socket recess is positioned on said second end wall of said second module; a socket sidewall of said first socket member extends in overlapping relationship relative to a socket sidewall of said second socket member; a resilient cushion is positioned within said first and second socket recesses of said overlapping first and second socket members; and a cable extends at least partially through said first and second modules, through said first and second socket members and through said resilient cushion to secure said first module to said second module.
 19. A module for creating a floating structure comprising: a shell encasing a buoyant foam core, each module having two sides, and first and second end walls, first and second socket members positioned in said first end wall and third and fourth socket members positioned in said second end wall in axial alignment with said first and second socket members respectively, each of said socket members having a socket sidewall that projects at least partially past said respective first or second end wall; a socket recess defined by said socket sidewall and opening outward, and a socket base member extending across said socket member at an inner end of said socket recess; each said socket base member having a aperture extending therethrough; a first conduit with a cable receiving bore formed therein extending at least partially through said module in axial alignment with said apertures in said first and third socket members; and a second conduit with a cable receiving bore formed therein extending at least partially through said module in axial alignment with said apertures in said second and fourth socket members; wherein said socket sidewalls of said first and third socket members are sized and shaped to allow overlapping positioning of a first socket member sidewall of a first module relative to a third socket member sidewall of an adjacently positioned second module; and said socket sidewalls of said second and fourth socket members are sized and shaped to allow overlapping positioning of a second socket member sidewall of a first module relative to a fourth socket member sidewall of an adjacently positioned second module. 